Pitchfork

It's the holiday shopping season, which of course means the arrival of...a Belle & Sebastian calendar? Sure, why not? They've already got a puzzle, a frisbie, playing cards, and a comic book.

As it turns out, Belle & Sebastian's "Toast to Glasgow 2008 Calendar" is more than a timekeeper. It's also a guide to the band's hometown of Glasgow, Scotland, with each month featuring a band member in one of his or her favorite places in the city. The photos, courtesy of photographer Marisa Privitera and B&S leader Stuart Murdoch, were all taken this year at locales such as Stow College, the Transport Museum, and Queens Cafe.

In other geographic B&S news, a few band members have solo or DJ sets coming up, culminating in Stevie Jackson's January 8 appearance at the Concrete Frequency: Songs of the City event in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the band has been working on their "God Help the Girl" project; for updates on the selection process, check out Murdoch's diary. Murdoch has also been keeping busy as a producer; he recently helmed the debut single for Glasgow band Zoey Van Goey.

B&S member appearances:

11-30 Glasgow, Scotland - BREL (Chris Geddes DJ set)
12-08 Brighton, England - Da Doo Ron Ron (Chris Geddes DJ set)
12-14 Bristol, England - Bristol Academy (Richard Colburn DJ set)
12-15 Glasgow, Scotland - The Flying Duck (Chris Geddes DJ set)
01-08 Los Angeles, CA - Walt Disney Concert Hall (Concrete Frequency: Songs of the City) (Stevie Jackson solo)